Operations of control of environmental crimes:

Many world-wide non-governmental organizations have developed, thanks to the interest of people in specific causes. In the case of APREFLOFAS it is the conservation of nature, based on the idea that we should preserve it first through this natural instinct that bonds us with it, and from there the need to study it and know it to understand how to live harmoniously on this planet. (pictures / more info )

(more info) / See Photos
Press release (Spanish)

Campaign against CAFTA
Opposition to the Central America Free Trade Agreement

APREFLOFAS is a non-political organization; however, it is political since we work very close regarding the legislation of the subject.

The Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and the Caribbean represents an antagonistic commercial policy to the conservation of our environment. In our general assembly we made a decision to be an active part in the education and the raising of awareness in respect to the environmental implications of CAFTA. See photos

Saving the whales

After last year’s summit of the Internacional Whale Commission, APREFLOFAS joined forces with national and international environmental organizations and created the Collation For the Whales. This is a way to pressure the participation of Costa Rica again in these discussions and in this way to vote against the hunting of whales.

On the 21st of February 2007, the campaign “For the Whales” was inaugurated with the concert of Hombres G (well known Spanish band) at the closing of the Palmares festivities.  The members of the coalition were present with a 18 meter inflatable humpback whale.  This also happened in Cartago and in Plaza de la Cultura for the whale festival, one of the biggest environmental concerts in the last years in Costa Rica

Many of the objectives have been achieved.  Costa Rica is now an active member of the international whale commission and has influenced Nicaragua in voting in favor of the whales and pressuring the Costa Rican government to declare all waters surrounding Costa Rica in becoming a whale sanctuary. To see photos and for more information go to www.porlasballenas.com

Fight to improve the conditions of
the Simon Bolivar Zoo

Like modern zoos this park should focus on education, investigation and lastly recreation.  Nowadays zoos tend to be less of a circus show and bring attention to important issues such as environmental education and research.

The Simón Bolivar Zoo does not meet any of the previous requirements but also is not a suitable facility for education and research, unless you want to study the stress on caged wildlife.  The outdated administration techniques a relic of the 70’s; is just a good business for some people.  Many environmental organizations and the Ministry of Environment and Energy have tried to change the administration at the center and it has been impossible because of the policies of the zoo. See photos

Fight against the deforestation of native trees in south Sabana Park

Even when major world cities are making an effort to plant trees with the intention to make urban environments more suitable for humans and other beings.  In Costa Rica trees are still ‘in the way’ for many.  This was clear with the project of widening the street in Sabana in 2006, where they were going to cut down more than 27 native trees.

Thanks to a legal action enforced by an associated founder of APRFLOFAS, with the help of hundreds of neighbors in the area around Sabana Park, the original project changed. As a matter of fact, the intentions to execute the new project, are now less attractive since it implicates a major investment to save these trees that to this day provide oxygen to the population of San José. See photos

Fight against the trafficing
and captivity of wildlife.

The demand for wild flora and fauna still is motive for unscrupulous people to mock the laws and profit from selling of wildlife.

This is happening at a time when the pressure on natural ecosystems is immense and global problems create an adverse climate for our biodiversity.

There’s still thousands of Costa Ricans who keep wild animals as pets in captivity, despite the difficult efforts of educating the population. If you are one of these people; please take care of the animal until it dies, for it will no longer survive in its natural environment. THEN DESTROY THE CAGE.  See photos

Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.

This initiative is driven by the WSPA federation that APREFLOFAS has been part of for more than 5 years.

The declaration requires for all nations to recognize that animal well being should be an objective to accomplish, and the recognition of all living things, respecting their needs and thus ending animal cruelty.

Help us get the acknowledgement and protection of animals worldwide.  www.animalsmatter.org

New Law of Water Resources.

Costa Rica needs new water laws and we at APREFLOFAS support the collection of signatures for the new hydric law created from the people to pass on to be a bill in the House of Representatives by means of popular demand.

Join this collection of signatures to guarantee the right to water.

Download signature collection document.

For more information in Spanish www.porelagua.blogspot.com
Graphic art:  see the campaign brochure